Knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent secondary school girls in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Authors

  • Nkiru E. Obande-Ogbuinya Science Education, Faculty of Education, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2033-5655
  • Oluchi C. Chikezie Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State Nigeria
  • Owojokane John-Paul Bassey College of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross River State
  • Ashang H. Chinemerem College of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
  • Offionor C. Edward Department of Community Health College of Health Technology, Calabar Cross River State, Nigeria
  • Chibuzo M. Uzoho Science Education, Faculty of Education, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State
  • Lois N. Omaka-Amari Ebonyi State University, PMB 053 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7588-8014
  • Jude N. Nwafor Ebonyi State University College of Education Ikwo
  • Christian O. Aleke Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2142-5967
  • Ogbonna J. Nweke Ebonyi State University, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
  • Daniel C. EjibeOfor Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20222003

Keywords:

Menstruation, Knowledge, Hygienic practices, Adolescent girls, Secondary schools

Abstract

Background: Menstrual hygiene is an aspect of sexuality education that people do not want to discuss publicly. Because of this most adolescent girl are bereaved of knowledge about menstrual hygiene practices. Therefore, the present study attempted to ascertain the knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent secondary school girls in Ebonyi state, Nigeria.

Methods: This was an institutional based cross-sectional study conducted from 11th July to 9th September 2021 among adolescent secondary school girls in Ikwo local government area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 400 participant using administered questionnaire. However, out of 400 participants, 315 properly filled and fit for analysis.

Result: From a total of 315 adolescent girls participated in this study, majority 251 (79.7%) of the girls possess good knowledge while 64 (20.3%) has poor knowledge of menstrual hygiene practices. The result further indicated a significant association between the age groups (Chi square=10.862; p=0.004 <0.05); class level (Chi square=23.601; p=0.000<0.05) and the knowledge of menstrual hygiene practices among the adolescents’ girls respectively.

Conclusions: There is need for government at all level, health educators and parents to design acceptable awareness creation and advocacy programs to improve the knowledge especially among adolescent girls at their early adolescents and those at lower class and so as to promote safe hygienic practices during menstruation.

Author Biographies

Owojokane John-Paul Bassey, College of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross River State

Department of General Studies College of Health Technolog, Lecturer,

Ashang H. Chinemerem, College of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Department of Dispensing Opticianry, Lecturer

Ogbonna J. Nweke, Ebonyi State University, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Postgraduate Student

Daniel C. EjibeOfor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State Nigeria.

Science Education, Faculty of Education, PG.Student

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Published

2022-07-27

How to Cite

Obande-Ogbuinya, N. E., Chikezie, O. C., John-Paul Bassey, O., Chinemerem, A. H., Edward, O. C., Uzoho, C. M., Omaka-Amari, L. N., Nwafor, J. N., Aleke, C. O., Nweke, O. J., & EjibeOfor, D. C. (2022). Knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent secondary school girls in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 9(8), 3075–3081. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20222003

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Original Research Articles